Short Questions
1. Who is the narrator of the story?
→ Franz, a young schoolboy from Alsace.
2. Why was Franz reluctant to go to school?
→ He had not studied participles and was afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding.
3. What did Franz notice when he reached school?
→ The school was silent and M. Hamel was wearing his best clothes.
4. Why were the villagers sitting in the classroom?
→ They came to attend the last French lesson and show respect for their language.
5. What was the shocking news M. Hamel gave?
→ That this was the last French lesson, as only German would be taught from the next day.
6. Who had ordered that only German be taught in Alsace?
→ The Prussian government after capturing Alsace and Lorraine.
7. How did Franz feel after hearing the news?
→ He felt guilty for not learning French properly and regretted wasting time.
8. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?
→ He said French is the most beautiful and logical language and must be protected and respected.
9. Why did M. Hamel blame himself?
→ He sometimes gave students holidays and did not push them to study hard.
10. What were the students asked to write in the last lesson?
→ The words “France, Alsace”, showing love for their country.
11. What happened when the clock struck twelve?
→ M. Hamel could not speak and wrote “VIVE LA FRANCE!” (Long Live France!) on the blackboard.
12. Why did Franz say, “I never saw him look so tall”?
→ Because M. Hamel stood strong and proud for his country and language, despite his sadness.
13. Why did M. Hamel wear his best clothes that day?
→ To honor his last lesson and show respect for his country.
14. What did Franz realize too late?
→ That he should have studied French seriously before it was too late.
15. What message does the story give?
→ The story teaches us to value education, respect our mother tongue, and never take learning for granted.
Long Questions
1. Why did Franz not want to go to school that day?
→ Franz had not learned his grammar lesson (participles) and feared M. Hamel’s scolding. He was also tempted to play outside as the weather was nice.
2. How was the scene at school different from other days?
→ Usually, there was a lot of noise, but that day, the classroom was silent. The villagers were sitting in the last row, and M. Hamel was dressed in his best clothes.
3. Why did M. Hamel blame parents and himself for neglecting studies?
→ Parents sent children to work instead of school, and M. Hamel sometimes gave students holidays instead of making them study.
4. What changes did Franz notice in himself after hearing the news?
→ He regretted wasting time and realized how precious his language and studies were. He suddenly wanted to learn French more than ever.
5. How did M. Hamel describe the importance of the French language?
→ He called French the most beautiful, logical, and clear language. He said that as long as people hold on to their language, they stay free.
6. Why was M. Hamel unable to speak at the end of the class?
→ M. Hamel was overcome with emotion and tears filled his eyes. Instead of speaking, he wrote “VIVE LA FRANCE!” on the blackboard.
7. What was written on the blackboard at the end?
→ M. Hamel wrote “VIVE LA FRANCE!”, meaning “Long Live France!”, showing his deep love for his country.
8. What lesson do we learn from the story?
→ We should value our education and language before it is too late. It also teaches us that language is an important part of a nation’s identity.
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